Police-chase man’s ‘good driver’ boast
SPEEDS OF 70MPH IN 30 ZONES
A DRIVER caught by police following a chase reaching 70mph in a 30mph zone said ‘I am a good driver aren’t I’ after being arrested, a court heard.
Lee McKay, 38, was pursued by police through Eccles in the early hours after his dangerous driving was spotted. He was reaching speeds of more than double the limit for that area, Manchester Crown Court was told.
Prosecutor Zoe Dawson said there were numerous examples of McKay under and overtaking vehicles at speed on the wrong side of the road, in January this year. He also went around a roundabout the wrong way at 60mph.
McKay, from Stockport, then mounted the pavement, stopped the car and ran off.
When officers caught up with him, McKay said: “I’m a good driver aren’t I. That was good driving that.” He later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
McKay was not found to be driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
The court heard he had no previous convictions for driving offences, but was previously jailed for battery and criminal damage.
Defending, Nicola Carroll said it was a ‘very serious offence,’ but appealed for the judge to spare him jail. She said that McKay had been suffering mental health problems at the time and that after seeing the police he ‘panicked’ and ‘anxiety got the better of him.’
McKay offered his ‘sincere apologies’ to the court, Ms Carroll said, after saying he put his life as well as the officers’ lives at risk. She added that McKay was homeless at the time, but that he now has a more stable life.
The judge, Recorder Mark Ford, said the incident could have caused ‘death or serious injury.’ “This was an appalling piece of driving,” he said.
“Your reaction in driving away may have been impulsive but the driving continued for some time.
“You conducted a series of dangerous manoeuvres at a time when road conditions were poor. It was raining, or had just been raining.”
A pre-sentence report stated McKay has a ‘high risk of committing further offences.’ But the judge said he was satisfied McKay had made efforts to turn his life around.
He was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years.
McKay, of Mayfield Grove, Reddish, must also complete a 12-month drug rehabilitation program and was banned from driving for 18 months.